From Dissent to OSINT? Understanding, Influencing, and Protecting Roles, Reputation, and Revenue

Editor’s Note: In today’s dynamic digital business world, organizations and individuals are faced with new challenges and opportunities that can impact their role, reputation, and revenue. In this context, open source intelligence (OSINT) has become a critical tool for researching and investigating organizations and individuals to gain a deeper understanding of the factors that influence their success and security. OSINT is a collection of data and information that is publicly available and accessible through the internet and other sources. It includes a wide range of data sources, including social media, forums, blogs, and government websites, among others. This information can be used to support decision-making processes, uncover potential risks and threats, and protect against negative impacts to roles, reputation, and revenue. Whether you are a business professional, investor, or individual, understanding the value and capabilities of OSINT can help you make informed decisions and stay ahead of potential business threats and challenges.

ComplexDiscovery Backgrounder*

From Dissent to OSINT? Understanding, Influencing, and Protecting Roles, Reputation, and Revenue

Educational Overview

Definition and Description

OSINT stands for Open Source Intelligence. It is a term used to describe the collection and analysis of information from publicly available sources, such as the internet, news outlets, social media, government publications, and other open-source materials. The purpose of OSINT is to gather information and intelligence that can be used for a variety of purposes, including investigations, risk management, and threat analysis. The focus of OSINT is on open-source materials, as these sources often provide a wealth of information that is publicly available and can be easily accessible to anyone with an internet connection. OSINT is used by a wide range of organizations and individuals, including law enforcement agencies, military organizations, intelligence agencies, journalists, and businesses. The goal of OSINT is to provide access to accurate, timely, and relevant information that can be used to inform decision-making and support a range of activities, from everyday tasks to more complex operations, including audits, investigations, and litigation.

OSINT is particularly important to professionals in the fields of cybersecurity, information governance, and eDiscovery. In cybersecurity, OSINT can help to identify potential threats, such as new vulnerabilities or attack techniques, and provide organizations with the information they need to defend against them. In information governance, OSINT can be used to monitor and manage sensitive information, ensuring that it is protected and kept confidential. In eDiscovery, OSINT can help organizations to find and collect relevant information for legal or regulatory purposes.

Organizations and Individuals

For organizations, OSINT can be used to research and monitor competitors, suppliers, and customers to gain a competitive edge and make informed decisions. This can include tracking market trends, identifying new business opportunities, and understanding consumer behavior. Additionally, OSINT can be used to screen contractors, new hires, and other third-party partners to ensure compliance with regulations and company policies.

For individuals, OSINT can be used to research and monitor their personal reputation and brand, as well as the reputation of organizational leaders. This can include tracking mentions of names or brands on social media, monitoring online reviews and feedback, and identifying potential risks to reputation. Potential risks that may stem from unknown or uncovered relationships and decisions or hidden, deleted, or embellished information.

Risks and Challenges

The world of open-source intelligence (OSINT) is vast and complex, offering endless possibilities for research and investigation. However, it is important to approach OSINT with caution, as there are many red flags that can indicate potential research and investigation risks and challenges.

One of the most important red flags in OSINT research is the reliability of the source. Not all sources of information are equally trustworthy, and it is crucial to assess the credibility and authenticity of each source before using it to support your research. This can include checking the source’s reputation, verifying the accuracy of its information, and considering the potential biases and motivations of the author.

Another red flag in OSINT research is the privacy and security of the information. With the growing concerns around data privacy and cyber security, it is important to be mindful of the risks associated with collecting and using sensitive or personal information. This can include ensuring that the information you collect is not in violation of any laws or regulations, and taking steps to protect your data from potential cyber-attacks.

It is also important to be aware of the potential for manipulation and misinformation in OSINT research. In today’s digital world, it is easy for individuals and organizations to manipulate information for their own purposes, and it is important to be vigilant about verifying the accuracy of the information you find. This can include cross-referencing multiple sources, checking the date and relevance of the information, and considering the potential for bias and manipulation.

OSINT research can be a powerful tool for gaining insights and understanding, but it is important to approach it with caution and be mindful of the red flags that can indicate potential risks and challenges. Whether you are a business professional, investigator, or individual, it is crucial to be aware of the limitations and potential dangers of OSINT research, and to take steps to ensure the reliability, privacy, and accuracy of the information you collect.

Research and Revenge

Research and revenge are two common motivators for the conduct of OSINT investigations.

Research refers to the use of OSINT techniques for the purpose of gathering information for academic, scientific, or professional purposes. In this context, OSINT is used as a tool to collect data, validate information, and gain a deeper understanding of a particular topic or issue. For example, journalists might use OSINT to gather information on a political scandal, while scientists might use it to gather data on a specific area of research.

Revenge, on the other hand, refers to the use of OSINT as a means of seeking retaliation or vindication against someone who has caused harm or injustice to another party. In this context, OSINT is used to gather information about the individual or organization in question, with the intention of using that information to cause harm or damage to their reputation or well-being. This can range from cyberbullying to more serious forms of harassment, such as spreading false information or compromising personal or financial data.

While research and revenge can both be motivators for the conduct of OSINT investigations, it is important to approach OSINT with caution, as the information gathered through these investigations can be used for both positive and negative purposes. For example, research can be used to advance knowledge and understanding, while revenge can be used to cause harm and damage to others. Whether conducting OSINT for research or revenge, it is important to be aware of the ethical and legal implications of actions and to use OSINT in a responsible and respectful manner.

Tools and Training

Among the many organizations offering OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) services and training, one stands out as a credible and reliable provider – Molfar. Molfar is a global OSINT community that currently unites 250 professionals working on military investigations, fact-checks, information search, and analytics. The primary activities included market, person, and company research extended to the full-scale Russia-Ukraine war. 

Some examples of Molfar highlighted tools and training are provided for consideration and familiarization.

Tools

• OSINT Tools: List of 250 tools for analyzing people, websites, mail, images, websites, apps, geolocation, and traffic.
• Entities Registers: List of 370 registries for 148 countries for the analysis of legal entities.

Training

• OSINT Course – Basic: Basic is the basis of open-source investigations. Social media analysis, search for hidden connections between people and organizations, image and metadata analysis, registry search, and large data collection and processing automation.
• OSINT Course – Advanced: Advanced is a professional level of information search and analysis. Students will learn how to collect data as real members of the intelligence services, as well as understand the principles of the investigation organizations, and moreover – get proven experience advice on how to optimize the running processes. Also, the Advanced version will describe how to collect information through social engineering, do analytics, and search for blind spots – many interesting things about HUMINT.

Whether seeking OSINT services for research, investigation, or security purposes or upgrading OSINT skills through education and training, Molfar may be able to provide the services, skills, and training necessary to support your interests or investigations in the world of OSINT.

OSINT Training Courses from Molfar

Basic – Certificate Example

Advanced – Certificate Example

Promise and Peril

OSINT plays a critical role in understanding, influencing, and protecting the roles, reputation, and revenue of organizations and individuals. By utilizing publicly available information, organizations and individuals can gain valuable insights and make informed decisions. However, it is important to remember that OSINT must be used responsibly and ethically, as it can also be used for malicious purposes such as cyber attacks, identity theft, and propaganda. By understanding the promise and peril of OSINT, organizations, and individuals can use this important tool to their advantage while protecting themselves from potential harm.

*Assisted by GAI and LLM Technologies

Additional Reading

• Molfar Global OSINT Community
• International Cyber Law in Practice: Interactive Toolkit

Source: ComplexDiscovery